Congenital Absence of the Corpus Callosum

CONGENITAL absence of the corpus callosum has been recognized since 1812, when Reil made the first report. Since then, 123 anatomically proved cases have been recorded. Forty-seven more are reported to have been diagnosed by pneumoencephalography without anatomic proof. Of these 170 cases, only 23, all diagnosed at autopsy, are asymptomatic.Arguments and theories about the function and significance of the corpus callosum have been based on evidence provided by such cases of congenital absence, as well as on cases of destruction of the corpus callosum by encephalomalacia, neoplasm, hemorrhage or operative intervention. Some authors believe in the existence of . . .